Gather around, it’s time for the revival of the conversation pit. Should the mid-century interior design trend not be familiar-sounding to you, know that it once ruled the living spaces of homes from the 1950s through the 1970s. Whilst the first of its kind might just have been Bruce Goff’s creation in 1927, it was Alexander Girard’s masterful rendition for the Miller House in 1952 that had truly seen the pit famously transform into something great.
Quite simply, it refers to a sunken area of the living room with built-in sofa seating; an architectural feature of one’s home that is constructed to exist below the floor level. Just as its name suggests, the fortified area is one meant to create conversation—a dedicated space purposefully made for bringing people closer together. Where social gatherings could be held, intimate whispers could be shared and more often than not, drunken stupor unravelled with time.
Over the years, it was not hard to see why the pit became something more of an interior relic; an architectural phase that made sense only through the years it reigned through. Towards the end of the 20th century, came the era of the television—now known to be a living room fixture that seating spaces are centred around. But as with all trends we’ve known to come and go, the pit too now rides the wave of nostalgia, right into the modern day abode. A marked desire for simplicity and human connection, in a time when we see each other through our virtual personas and our lives remain chronically online.
Yet notably, its return comes with its fair share of contemporary alterations. Think outdoor conversation pits instead, such as those in the middle of a garden or pool. Alternative uses—like transforming the sunken area into a play-den with pillows or plastic balls—are also options for keeping the space’s utility fresh and upbeat. A daytime play area for the kids, a nighttime escape for the adults.
Nonetheless, the pit is only viable if you’re free to meld and mould your home as you so wish. For many of us urban nomads who live in high-rise apartments however, the architectural requirement is one that is difficult to overcome. And that’s where we at Vogue Singapore come in. It’s no fun if you’re abandoning the idea of a conversation pit altogether; so what you’ll have to do instead is to try transforming a section of your living room into something akin to a conversation nook. Which would then facilitate all the pit’s desired functions of creating conversation and intimacy—but it begins with removing the commonplace television from this space, of course. The rest of our foolproof guide to creating a conversation pit in your very own home (without the architectural sink), all below.
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Use a cushy rug to create a sense of warmth
Even without the ability to build the sunken architecture of a pit, a cushy rug would be able to clearly demarcate this particular space of your living room that you would like to transform. Be it by size, shape or its lush texture, it should be a rug that is not only immediately visible when stepping into your home, but also plush and luxurious enough to act as an open invite to enter the area. The use of warm colours such as walnuts or terracottas will add to this effect but ensuring that the rug stretches across most of the ‘pit’ area is a key factor as well.
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Opt for low, modular sofas
In the modern day home, not everyone has access to the spatial depth required for a conversation pit in their living spaces. Hence, the use of floor couches—meaning sofas without legs—would create the illusion of a surface-level or ‘low’ effect. It also adds to the lounge factor of the space. Of course, certain statement pieces—such as the Dune Ensemble first created by Pierre Pauli—serve as the perfect fit for a contemporary conversation pit. Through its shape and structure, it already amplifies the intimate setting that the age-old pits used to offer.
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Fill your space with a single centrepiece
A centrepiece is key to a conversation pit; it embellishes the space to avoid making it feel one-dimensional. Whilst this particular pit uses a stone fireplace as its centre for practical purposes, other options indoors include adding an interestingly-shaped coffee table that would make for good use if the hosted party is engaging in conversation over tipples or games.
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Vary your seating options
What the modern day version of the conversation pit can offer? Varied seating options. Whilst the ’70s interior style’s main feature was its built-in sofa, using a myriad of seat types apart from a main modular set will add to the playful warmth of the space. Consider beanbags, armchairs and unorthodox chair shapes.
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Add a few statement decor pieces
Whilst the initial appeal of the original conversation pit came strongly through its unique architecture, its current enigma is in part due to the nostalgia it imbues. To truly emulate the sentiment of the mid-century aesthetic, consider the addition of a few striking art decor pieces such as statement vases or curved objects to give your conversation nooks a little more energy and colour. It’s also okay to lose the television.
